"The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else's eyes."
Pema Chodron
"It is like we are both together in not knowing, which doesn't feel as bad as not knowing by myself." They were referring to how they frequently misunderstand one another and "don't know" one another's true feelings. I definitely felt as if I had been the one carrying that up until that point!
Jay M. Seiff-Haron
EFT Therapistfamilytherapysf.com

Fable of the porcupine It was the coldest winter ever - many animals died because of the cold.
The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together.
This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other.
After awhile they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen.
So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.
Wisely, they decided to go back to being together.
This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others.
This way they were able to survive.Moral of the storyThe best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.

LifeGate Christian Counseling (LCC) serves the Sioux Falls and surrounding area with counseling services for individual, couples, and families provided by a licensed professional. If you ever find yourself wondering if life could be better, professional therapy in a Christian setting could be just what you need.

What is a Marriage & Family Therapist?
A marriage and family therapist is a person with a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or a master's or doctoral degree in a related mental health field with substantially equivalent coursework in marriage and family therapy, who receives supervised clinical experience, or a person who meets the state requirements to practice as a marriage and family therapist. A marriage and family therapist treats mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage and family systems. A marriage and family therapist provides mental health and counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups.